Knowing what to feed your child can be challenging as a parent! Not only are their likes and dislikes keep changing but it is also hard to know what needs to be served to provide children with a balanced and nutritious diet.

As your child grows, they start developing eating habits that follow them throughout their lifetime. Encouraging healthy choices is a great way to start them down the path of developing healthy eating habits that will help them carry a healthy lifestyle when they are adults.

Some of the important aspects of healthy eating are portion control and cutting down on high fat and sugary foods. It often takes time to develop healthy eating habits in children, so don’t get discouraged!

As explained by Vignan, one of the best schools in Vizag, below are some pieces of advice that help develop healthy eating habits in your children. 

1. Regular snack and meal schedule

Along with meals, healthy snacks are important because they provide children with the nutrients and calories they will need each day to grow. Schedule a regular snack and mealtime, so that the hunger and appetite are more regular. This will help children feel more in tune with the body.

2. Have your child eat a healthy breakfast

It’s important for kids to have a healthy breakfast to stay at a healthy weight. Breakfast starts the process of using calories throughout the day. Choosing foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein may boost your child’s concentration and memory, which they need to learn.

3. Encourage your child to eat slowly

Children can detect their hunger and fullness when they eat slowly. Therefore, ask your child to count the number of times they chew each mouthful. Aim for a small number of chews to start with, that is  3-5 chews per mouthful, and gradually increase it to 10 chews.

4. Eat together as a family

Try to make mealtimes enjoyable with good conversation and sharing. Children tend to eat more fruits and vegetables and other nutrient-rich foods. Eating together offers parents a chance to be role models and teach eating healthy and polite table manners.

5. Involve your children in preparing meals

Cooking can help your kids lay the foundation for healthy eating habits. So, encourage your child to help you in the kitchen, which will help your children learn more about nutrition and provide them with a feeling of accomplishment.

6. Do not encourage your child to eat meals while watching TV

Research suggests that children who eat while watching TV or mobile screens may become less sensitive to satisfaction. Eating in front of the screen makes it hard to pay attention to feelings of fullness that may lead to overeating and obesity.

7. Pay attention to the portion size

A portion is the amount of food you choose to serve your child at each snack or meal. Parents should know that the portion sizes for a younger school-age child, (kids from 4 to 8 years of age) should be about a third of an adult portion size.

Childhood is often a  crucial time to learn healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Need more tips for the healthy development of children? Keep following Vignan schools, Vizag.